Fortsetzung..;
"Our proprietary iNKT cell therapy has been advancing in the clinic in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) secondary to COVID-19; we are now expanding our iNKT cell therapy to treat patients with cancer,” said Jennifer Buell, PhD, President and COO of Agenus. “iNKT cells penetrate tissues, demonstrate potent tumor killing, and show compelling curative potential in solid tumor models with activating iNKT cell therapies and checkpoint antibodies. We are thrilled to advance this cell therapy for broader benefit in patients with solid tumors and in combination with antibodies.”
The Phase 1 trial has been initiated in hematologic cancers, with expansion into solid tumors expected to begin shortly. Led by Clifton Mo, MD, Director of Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation for Multiple Myeloma at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, the Phase I dose-escalation trial will explore the safety, tolerability, and preliminary clinical activity of agenT-797 in patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma. Agenus anticipates initial data readouts for the Phase 1 study in the fourth quarter of 2021.
A Phase 1 trial of agent-797 for intubated patients with moderate to severe symptoms of COVID-19 was initiated in late 2020. Preliminary data show no adverse events attributable to agent-797 and suggest early signals of activity. Dose escalation is expected to be completed in the first half of 2021 with expansion into a Phase 2 trial with data readouts expected this year.
iNKT cell therapy is expected to eliminate graft-versus-host disease, may not require genetic manipulation, and can be manufactured to treat large numbers of patients from a single dose. These attributes support the possibility of a safer and more affordable and accessible therapy than currently approved cell therapies.
As a subsidiary of Agenus, AgenTus currently has unique access to Agenus’ portfolio of checkpoint antibodies and cancer vaccines which allows for optimal combinations with its cell therapies. This gives the company enormous flexibility to develop effective combinations with curative potential for patients with cancer and infectious disease..." |
